For anyone striving for a stronger midsection, the secret might not lie in another set of crunches but on the sliding carriage of a reformer Pilates machine. Lucy Gornall, a fitness journalist and personal trainer, reports a dramatic transformation in her core strength and definition after just six months of consistent reformer practice—a result that eluded her during ten years of dedicated abs workouts.
The UK's Fitness Phenomenon
Gornall is far from alone in her enthusiasm. The reformer Pilates market in the UK is experiencing explosive growth. Back in 2023, the UK was home to 4,476 Pilates and yoga studios, constituting a market worth over £900 million. This figure is projected to hit a staggering £1 billion this year. This surge is evidenced by studios like Core LDN, which has witnessed a 95 per cent increase in class bookings over the past twelve months.
The trend has also moved into the home, with home reformer machines becoming a must-have item for fitness enthusiasts in 2025. While Gornall notes benefits like improved posture and newfound flexibility, the most significant change was in her core—the powerhouse muscle group that supports virtually every movement the body makes.
Why Reformer Pilates Works Your Core So Hard
Unlike mat-based Pilates, reformer Pilates utilises a specialised machine. Helen O'Leary, director and clinical director at Complete Pilates, describes it as featuring a "sliding flat platform, five springs of varying resistance and two cables on pulleys." This setup introduces instability and resistance that forces the core muscles to remain permanently engaged to maintain balance.
"Lying on your back holding the legs up against the weight of gravity requires you to use your core," O'Leary explains. The sliding platform adds a dynamic element to even basic exercises. For instance, a standard plank becomes exponentially more challenging on the reformer. "The further away your legs or arms are from the centre of the body... the greater the load and the abdominal muscles have to work harder," O'Leary adds.
London-based instructor Nichola Desay emphasises the mind-body connection, noting that "the reformer offers the opportunity to explore mind-body connection whilst working through controlled, precise movements." The machine's resistance provides real-time feedback, helping users develop greater body awareness.
A Personal Fitness Journey
Gornall's first encounter with reformer Pilates 18 months ago was at a London studio. Initially intimidated by the 'cliquey' atmosphere and specialised grip socks, she quickly adapted. After initially attending ad hoc classes, she became a reformer regular at London's Psycle studio in early summer 2024, attending daily.
She found that the constant instability of the machine meant her core muscles were permanently switched on. This consistent engagement led to visible changes she had never achieved with sit-ups and Russian twists. "I have 'lines' that I didn't think existed and my lower abs are slowly but surely starting to pop," she reports.
While individual classes can cost around £30, Gornall secured a membership at Third Space gym in Clapham Junction for £240 a month, allowing her to attend five days a week. Her commitment is such that she even booked classes at a Balanze studio during a two-week trip to Australia.
Beyond Aesthetics: The True Value of a Strong Core
Both Gornall and the experts stress that the benefits of a strong core extend far beyond a toned midsection. "A strong core helps maintain good posture, in turn reducing the risk of developing back pain; it helps with balance; it allows you to simply move comfortably through life," explains Desay.
It can also be particularly beneficial for postnatal recovery. O'Leary advises that "after an experience like childbirth that might change or damage your core muscles, reformer Pilates can be a great way to help rebuild that core strength," while always consulting a health professional first.
For those put off by the cost, Desay points out that mat Pilates can be even more challenging for the core as it lacks the supportive resistance of the springs, forcing deeper muscle engagement. It's also more accessible, offered at most commercial gyms.
Gornall's verdict is clear: the cliquey element of reformer is fading, replaced by a more inclusive community. After seeing such profound results, she has no plans to stop, asserting that traditional abs workouts simply don't compare to the comprehensive core conditioning achieved on the reformer.
